Ruth Winnick: Reflections on a Lifetime of Blessings

“There are two ways of spreading light, to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” -- Edith Wharton.

Ruth Winnick is both. Ruth Winnick of Westport, Connecticut, is about to turn

90 years young on September 29, 2018. Ruth is remarkable for looking decades younger than her age, her optimistic attitude, mental clarity and kindness to all. Ruth’s husband, Alan Winnick, age 95, is a mirror image of his wife. The couple recently celebrated their joyful 70 years of marriage with family and friends in 2018. They have 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren and 2 grandsons. Genetics plays a key role as Ruth’s older sister is age 95 and younger sister is age 85. Family means everything to this couple.

The Winnick’s light shines brightly together as they both credit fate and luck when a cousin arranged a blind date in 1947. Ruth, 18 years old, attended Emerson College in Boston, while Alan, age 23, a Harvard graduate, had recently returned from serving in the Army. They met at The Hotel Fensgate in Boston, established in 1928, famous for Boston lobster and jazz, and currently in business today. The jazz club was the perfect setting for love at first sight. “We are blessed beyond measure” beams Alan. “I couldn’t live without Ruth. Ruth was the single most important decision of my life. Her grace, beauty, wisdom and charm created a lifetime of bliss and happiness.”

Ruth, born in Buffalo, always believed in a healthy diet and exercise, optimism, a sense of humor and a fighting spirit through life’s challenges. Ruth, who is certified in Dance Movement Therapy from New York University’s American Dance Therapy Association, has taught DMT for decades, most recently at Norwalk Hospital where she still leads classes. Dance Movement Therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement of dance to support intellectual, emotional and fine motor functions of the body. As a modality of the creative therapies, DMT looks at the correlation between movement and emotion.

Ruth states, “Age is no excuse for growing old.” Among her many philosophies, “Exercise is a gift you give yourself. We can all learn from our past mistakes. She believes if you dream big, the universe will align you with lifelong blessings. Sometimes, storybook endings work out when most unexpected. Ruth begins each day with her spiritual prayer, “May I have peace in my life, May I be exactly where I am meant to be, May I have faith in myself, May I pass on all of life’s gifts, May I be content within myself as I am, May I receive the love that has been given to me. Thank you.” After Ruth’s morning prayers, she believes higher spirits will protect her and the rest is in the Universe’s control.

She attributes her flexibility and strength to The Alexander Method, Dance Movement Therapy, The Bar Method and Bodyquest which she has practiced her entire life. Ruth believes that these methods are crucial for strength training and body alignment. She walks a few times each week. Her life’s challenges included breast cancer and autoimmune disease which she successfully managed through maintaining a positive attitude, diet and exercise.

At 90 years old, Ruth maintains the grace, beauty and inner wisdom of a life well lived. Physically and mentally, she has the flexibility and determination and discipline to exercise daily, keeping fellow students in awe of her endurance. Some of the couple’s many interests include: reading, lectures, symphonies, bridge, theater and loving connection to family and friends. They have traveled extensively throughout the world - gorilla trekking in Africa was a highlight.

The Winnick’s advice for a happy marriage is simple: respect and listen to each other daily, always have a sense of humor and adventure, be each other’s best friend in good times and challenging times and stay positive. They both agree that being married for 70 years “went by in a blink and they would do it all over again.”